As schools move to incorporate more writing in classrooms, it is vital that teachers encourage their students to write and share with them the joys of the writing process. WITS professional development opportunities provide innovative teaching ideas to classroom teachers who are then able to expand their teaching curriculum and inspire their students to be better writers. Teachers who participate in professional development with WITS learn fresh ideas and acquire new, useful strategies. They are also able to enjoy writing more themselves, and they pass that excitement on to their students. Together, like-minded teachers and writers provide each other support and share discoveries that transform the way writing is taught. In addition to campus-based professional development that can be customized to meet the needs of the faculty, individuals may also register for Writers in the Schools writing workshops.

Second Saturdays is a series of writing workshops held on the second Saturday of the month and designed for classroom teachers who want to enhance their own skills as writers as well as those of their students. Taught by professional writers, each interactive workshop provides concrete and innovative strategies and lessons that teachers can take directly into their classrooms--transforming classrooms into incubators for creativity and innovation. 

The Spring 2013 Series 

January 12: Teachers, Words, and Art

Location: the Menil Collection (1515 Sul Ross) 

Time: 10am-1pm

February 9: Civil "Writes" 

Locations: African American Library at the Gregory School (1300 Victor Street)

Time: 10am-1pm

April 13: Music and Poetry 

Location: The Last Concert Cafe (1403 Nance Street) 

Time: 10am-1pm

May 11: Teachers as Writers: How to Get Published

Location: Bright Sky Press (2365 Rice Blvd.)

Time: 10am-1pm

Cost of attendance is $75 for each session. Please note the varying times, dates, and locations

For more information contact Tina Angelo at 713-523-3877 or tangelo@witshouston.org

"WITS is the only professional development I've ever looked forward to. Finally, someone taught me to teach writing the way I always envisioned I could." -- 7th grade teacher

"The WITS program has saved my life as a teacher and has reminded me that writing is enjoyable." -- 11th grade teacher

"WITS makes you want to teach writing because you have concrete ways to do writing in your classroom." -- 5th grade teacher